Tag Archives: Harlem

If you love Harlem Meer or Lasker Rink or the northern part of Central Park like we do, this piece of news will (or should) please you. We learned today via a press release about a major redesign of Harlem Meer and the area. An announcement will be made on July 18 at Harlem Meer stating that a partnership is in place “to invest $150 million in a forthcoming Lasker Pool and Rink project that will transform the facility’s relationship with the Harlem Meer and the rest of Central Park.”

According to the release, this yet to be designed major project, funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio ($50 million) and the Central Park Conservancy ($100 million; $25 million committed to date), will allow for broader park use and create new recreational opportunities to better serve the Harlem and East Harlem communities, advancing the City’s equity agenda. To lead the design process, Central Park Conservancy in partnership with NYC Parks, will host community visioning sessions in Harlem this fall; with anticipated groundbreaking in Fall 2020.

As more information becomes available, we will pass it along. In closing, we cannot wait to see the ideas that arise from the design process and renderings.

As one restaurant closes, another something opens. That’s the cycle of retail life in Harlem/ NYC. In this case, it’s another cafe! At 2118 Frederick Douglass Blvd, the old spot of Jado Sushi, it will now be…Bean & Barley, a coffee/espresso/beer/wine/spirits and bites. At least that is what the bright red awning says as we strolled by on Saturday, June 9.

The windows are papered up for now, but there is a leaflet posted with..barista needed. Stay tuned for more info, as Bean & Barley will more than likely open in the coming weeks.

As one door closes another opens…and that’s what’s happening at 2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem! Paint’n Pour is moving into the space where The Park 112 Restaurant use to be! The signage is up!

According to their Facebook page, Paint’n Pour was located at 79 Madison Avenue, where one could actually paint “with the help of an open bar.” Paint’n Pours instagram account states they’re moving uptown to Central Harlem and the grand opening is coming soon!

I hope the painting stays indoors along with the cocktails. If my kids see adults painting outside, they’ll want to join in!

I have lived in Harlem for close to 12 years now. I’ve seen an explosion in real estate, restaurants…and now coffee bars/cafes. I ventured past 125th Street recently to check out ACP Coffee, which opened this year on Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd between 134th and 135th Street. I know there are a lot of coffee places in the City. Hear me out on why you should make a point to visit ACP Coffee.

First, most of our Harlem based coffee shops that have opened in the last five years more than likely get their beans from a local/roaster. Not a bad thing. ACP Coffee in Harlem has decided to go in a different direction and serve coffee from Coava Coffee Roasters and Counter Culture Coffee Roasters. Coava coffee roasters is from Portland, Oregon, currently using El Salvador La Esperanza.

Second, if you’re into the avocado toast craze ACP Coffee has it on the menu. Their avocado toast is made with sourdough organic bread. Yum.

And last, ACP coffee uses Battenkill Valley grass fed milk for all their coffee drinks. I don’t recall ever having my coffee served with grass fed milk until I visited ACP Coffee. It was absolutely yummy. This type of milk added sweetness and extra foam to my latte.

These are just a few reasons on why you should stop by ACP Coffee in Harlem. As I often say in my blog posts, “don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself! and let me know what you think of the place.

ACP Coffee is located at 2286 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd in Harlem.

Back in 2012, I blogged about one of my favorite kid accessories store by Harlem resident Alex Gizela, who founded Cabbages & Kings. I had zero Harlem babies then and I loved her apparel on the spot. Two kids later, three scarves, two sets of leg warmers and four pairs of socks from Cabbages & Kings, I still adore all the items offered.

More importantly, my kids love the product…and all of the items are hand made by artisans that reside in Central Mexico and in the Andean Valleys of Peru and Bolivia. Most pieces are a collaborative effort between Cabbages & Kings and the artisans to create pieces based on the culture’s traditional patterns and design.

Check out the merchandise for yourself. And oh, did I tell you that Cabbages & Kings started their 2017 #blackfriday/holiday sale. For those that follow HarlemGal online, there is a 30 percent discount. Use code: HeyMama30. (Please note the code is for a limited time only)

Need additional plans in Harlem this holiday weekend? How about a little karaoke? Shrine World Music Venue, located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., has reopened its new Green Room downstairs and to kick off the opening they’re starting a KARAOKE NIGHT this coming Monday, Sept.. 4th, which will then occur on every Monday thereafter. Check it out if you can!

Burgers will not be cooking up in the space next to Chocolate Restaurant in Harlem. It will be Ganache Coffee! The signage is up in the commercial space between 119th and 120th Street on Frederick Douglass Blvd.

I guess Leon Ellis, the owner of practically everything on that particular block, changed his mind and decided to focus on coffee products instead-at least that’s what the signs are indicating!

One of the greatest actors on the planet was hanging out on Harlem's Restaurant Row last night, July 27. According to Row House's online social network, Meryl Streep and the cast of The Papers, Steven Spielberg's upcoming flick, were dining at their establishment. Here's the picture to prove it! Pretty awesome, don't ya think?

Need family plans in Harlem June 18? Consider NYC Kidsfest in Morningside Park from 2-7 PM. NYC Kidsfest is a free, one-day family performing arts festival bringing acts of outstanding artistic quality to New York families. Packed with music, theater, dance, storytelling and much more; this festival promises to delight, inspire and arouse the imaginations of children of all ages.

My kids and I were at Harlem Eat Up today. While strolling around, literally in our Bugaboo, we learned today that Whole Foods Market is opening up their Harlem store July 21, 2017. The two nice gentlemen working their booth informed us when we asked. However, there was no need to ask. There was a sign to the left of them that announced the date! See pic below.

I wonder whose going to check out the new Whole Foods uptown when it opens? I’m curious to see if they plan on offering the same kind of merchandise/products as a downtown store. We will soon find out!

The store will be located at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue! Right there by the 2/3 subway line!